Tue Sep 17 14:53:34 UTC 2024: ## Pitru Paksha 2024: 16 Days of Honoring Ancestors Begins
The Hindu festival of Pitru Paksha, a period dedicated to honoring ancestors, commenced on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, and will continue for 16 days, culminating on October 2nd. Also known as the Shradh period, it begins on the Pratipada Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada according to the Hindu calendar.
During this period, Hindus believe that the souls of their ancestors descend to Earth, and families perform various rituals to offer them peace, sustenance, and seek their blessings. The most significant ritual is Shradh, which is performed with great devotion and respect.
According to the Garuda Purana, souls endure suffering after death. Through Shradh rituals, it is believed that souls attain peace and relief. The souls of the last three generations are said to reside in Pitru Lok, a realm between Heaven and Earth, overseen by Yamraj, the god of death.
Traditional Pitru Paksha rituals include taking holy baths, wearing clean attire, placing ancestor portraits facing south, offering Pind Daan (food offerings), and performing the Tarpan ritual, which involves offering water mixed with flour, barley, kush, and black sesame to ancestors. Charity and food offerings are also common during this period.
Pitru Paksha 2024 will conclude on October 2nd with Sarva Pitru Amavasya, a day dedicated to honoring all ancestors.
First Piper 